Poovamma Raju fails podium finish in 400m in World Youth Athletics

New Delhi, July 13 (UNI) India 's M Poovamma Raju failed to secure a podium finish as she ended seventh in the girls' 400m race in the IAAF World Youth Athletics Championship at Ostrava in Czech Republic today.

Running in lane number eight, Poovamma was the fastest to start off from the block in the eight-athlete field but got caught up by her opponents in the middle and finished seventh clocking 55.49 sec.

The Karnataka girl yesterday ran her personal best of 55.15 sec to enter the final.

The gold in the event was won by Ukraine 's Baraley Yuliya (53.57s), silver by McDermott Latoya (54.12s) of Jamaica and bronze by Stukova Alexandra (54.46s) of Slovakia, according to information received here .

Earlier in the day, Manpreet Kaur became the first Indian athlete to qualify for the final of a field event after finishing fourth in a shot put qualification round contest.

National junior (U-18) record holder Manpreet heaved the 4kg shot put to 13.56m, which though was below her personal best of 14.49m, according to information received here.

The Punjab girl, who is among world youth top 10 this year, tossed her first throw to 12.96m, below her regular opening series but in the second attempt Manpreet threw 13.56m, sufficient to make it to the final which will be held tomorrow.

UNI